Assessment of Variation in Feeding Behavior by Color Morph in the Asian citrus Psyllid (Diaphorina citri)

Abstract

The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera:Liviidae), vector of huanglongbing disease, displays a high degree of color polyphenism. In the adult stage, ACP exhibits abdominal colors that can be separated into three color groupings: blue-green, grey-brown and orange-yellow. Color morphology has been shown to influence important and energetically costly psyllid life traits including reproduction, dispersion, immune defense and resistance to insecticides. Despite this, it remains unclear how color morphology is correlated with feeding behavior. Understanding variation in feeding behavior of the ACP color morphs is critical to better understanding how ACP populations utilize host-plants and to assess potential risk for transmission of the causal agent of huanglongbing disease. We compared the feeding behavior of the three ACP color morphs by using electropenetrography (EPG). We did not detect differences in the feeding behavior activities at phloem or xylem tissues when comparing the three-color morphs. Furthermore, there were no differences in feeding behavioral parameters before reaching phloem or xylem tissues. Our results suggest energy requirements are similar between color morphs and feeding behavior parameters associated with CLas transmission are potentially similar between color morphs.

Seasonal Patterns in the Frequency of Candidatus Liberibacter Asiaticus in Populations of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) in Florida

“…This should correlate to the potential risk of long-distance C Las movement in the environment. Differences in size associated with sex and abdominal color should have different energy requirements, but the expected differences in feeding behavior are not observed [ 43 , 44 ]. Color morph is related to endosymbiont and C Las infection, wherein blue morphs had lower titers of endosymbionts and C Las [ 45 ], though some disagree [ 46 ] and there can be an environmental component [ 47 ].…”

Effect of tree height and spraying methods on Diaphorina citri kuwayama endosymbionts in the context of Huanglongbing disease management in citrus orchards

“…[22][23][24][25][26] These endosymbionts not only occupy the psyllid's body cavity but also interact with the HLB pathogen and the host plant, creating a complex network of associations. [27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35] These differential responses of psyllids from varying tree ages emphasize the intricate interplay between host-symbiont interactions and the physiological attributes of psyllids at different developmental stages. The underlying mechanisms driving this discrepancy warrant further investigation, as they may hold critical implications for our understanding of vector biology and HLB transmission dynamics.…”

“…Candidatus Carsonella ruddii, a primary endosymbiont, and Wolbachia, a secondary endosymbiont, have been identified in psyllid populations 22‐26 . These endosymbionts not only occupy the psyllid's body cavity but also interact with the HLB pathogen and the host plant, creating a complex network of associations 27‐35 . These differential responses of psyllids from varying tree ages emphasize the intricate interplay between host–symbiont interactions and the physiological attributes of psyllids at different developmental stages.…”